Mockingbird

Beautifully illustrated by Paul Howard, this is a playful variation of a popular nursery song by Allan Ahlberg. Starting with the original line "Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Mama's gonna buy you a Mockingbird", the rhyme then switches to more typical and modern and children's gifts, such as a swing and a pedal truck, as the baby's day is filled with a succession of delights ending with the final surprise. The large print and rhyming text is nicely complemented by the expressive colour illustrations to create a perfect bedtime, or anytime, storybook. --Philippa Reece